Fixing mechanism and hard disk assembly using the same

ABSTRACT

A fixing mechanism for fixing a number of hard disks includes a first frame; a second frame facing the first frame, and a fixing structure for fixing the hard disk. One side of each hard disk is fixed on the first frame, and the fixing structure is positioned and fixed on the second frame and also fixed on the other side of the hard disk.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a fixing mechanism, and particularlyto a fixing mechanism for fixing a storage device and a hard diskassembly using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hard disks are generally mounted in a computer case with a fixingmechanism. The fixing mechanism includes a bottom plate for supportingthe hard disks. However, upon the mounting of the storage device such asthe hard disks, the bottom plate, being completely sealed off uponsecuring on a plate member, thereby prevents air from flowing past thehard disks, thus reducing the cooling efficiency within the computercase. However, even upon forming of a plurality of vent holes on theplate member, due to the substantial amount of contact area which existbetween the hard disks and the plate member, cooling efficiency wouldremain inadequate.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, theemphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principlesof the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like referencenumerals designate corresponding parts throughout the views, and boththe views are schematic.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a hard disk assembly.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the hard disk assembly shown inFIG. 1, in which the hard disk assembly includes a fastening member.

FIG. 3 is the fastening member shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of the hard disk assembly.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the hard disk assembly shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of a hard diskassembly 300 includes a fixing mechanism 100 and a number of hard disks200 fixed in the fixing mechanism 100. The fixing mechanism 100 includesa connecting member 10, a first frame 20, a second frame 30, a number ofdividers 40, a fixing structure 50, and a number of fasteners 60. Thefixing structure 50 is disposed between the first frame 20 and thesecond frame 30. The connecting member 10 is substantially a bar, thefirst frame 20 is fixed at an end of the connecting member 10, and thesecond frame 30 is fixed at the other end of the connecting member 10.The first frame 20 and the second frame 30 are arranged in parallel. Thedividers 40 interconnect the first frame 20 and the second frame 30. Thedividers 40 are spaced apart from each other. The fasteners 60 are usedfor fixing the divider 40 on the first frame 20. In the illustratedembodiment, the number of the dividers 40 and the fasteners 60 arethree, and the fastener 60 is a screw.

The first frame 20 defines three connecting holes 21 therein. Thedistance between adjacent connecting holes are substantially equal. Thesecond frame 30 defines three inserting holes 31 corresponding to theconnecting holes 21, respectively. Each pair of corresponding connectingholes 21 and inserting holes 31 form a line from their respectivecenters to be substantially perpendicular to the first frame 20 and thesecond frame 30.

The divider 40 has a shape of a stick, and includes a connecting portion41, a clamping portion 43 for clamping the hard disks 200 and aninserting portion 45 for connecting to the second frame 30. The divider40 can also be in the shape of a bar. The connecting portion 41 isformed at an end of the clamping portion 43. The inserting portion 45 isformed at the other end of the clamping portion 43. The connectingportion 41 defines a shaft hole 411 along an axial direction thereof.Referring to FIG. 2, the fixing structure 50 includes a connecting arm51 and a fastening member 53. An end of the connecting arm 51 is fixedon the first frame 20 or the second frame 30 and is substantiallyperpendicular to the first frame 20 or the second frame 30; and theother end of the connecting arm 51 extends between the first frame 20and the second frame 30 as a free end. The connecting arm 51 defines aslot 511 adjacent to the free end. Referring to FIG. 3, the fasteningmember 53 is a screw and includes a cap 531, a flange 533 and a threadedportion 535. The fastening member 53 defines a latching slot 537 betweenthe cap 531 and the flange 533. The flange 533 defines a chamfer 5331for mounting convenience. Each hard disk 200 defines a receiving hole201 at an end thereof. The length of the hard disk 200 is slightly lessthat the distance between the first frame 20 and the second frame 30.

Referring FIGS. 4 and 5, the hard disks 200 are positioned between thefirst frame 20 and the second frame 30 in order, and the end of the harddisk 200 that is away from the receiving hole 201 contacts with thesecond frame 30. A gap 55 is defined between the hard disk 200 and thefirst frame 20 for cooling. A fixing hole 203 of the hard disk 200communicates with the slot 511 of the connecting arm 51, the threadedportion 535 of the fastening member 53 passes the slot 511 and threadlyengages with the fixing hole 203, to fix the hard disk 200 on the fixingmechanism 100. The connecting arm 51 is latched in the latching slot 537of the fastening member 53. The connecting arm 51 can also be in theshape of a long bar, in which one side is fixed on the first frame 20 orthe second frame 30 and the other side is suspended between the firstframe 20 and the second frame 30. The connecting arm 51 can have athrough hole (not shown) for securing the fastening member 53 to thehard disk 200.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, each of the inserting portions 45 of thedivider 40 is inserted into the inserting hole 31 of the second frame30. The shaft hole 411 of the connecting portion 41 is aligned to therespective connecting hole 21 of the first frame 20. The fastener 60then passes through the connecting hole 21 of the first frame 20 and isscrewed in the shaft hole 411 of the divider 40, in order to securelyfix the divider 40 between the first frame 20 and the second frame 30.Two adjacent dividers 40 clamp one hard disk 200, and divide theadjacent hard disks 200. Thus, almost all of the bottom surface of thehard disks 200 is exposed, the cooling ability of the fixing mechanism100 is improved, and the lifespan of the hard disk 200 is prolonged.

Finally, while particular embodiments have been described, thedescription is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting. Forexample, various modifications can be made to the embodiments by thoseof ordinary skill in the art without departing from the true spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A fixing mechanism for fixing a plurality of hard disks, the fixingmechanism comprising: a first frame; a second frame facing to the firstframe; and a fixing structure for fixing the hard disks, wherein oneside of each hard disk is fixed on the first frame, and the fixingstructure is fixed on the second frame and fixed on the other side ofthe hard disk.
 2. The fixing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the fixingstructure comprises a connecting arm fixed on the second frame and afastening member latched on the connecting arm, the fastening member iscapable of being fixed on the hard disk.
 3. The fixing mechanism ofclaim 2, wherein the connecting arm defines a slot, and the connectingarm latches in a latching slot of the fastening member.
 4. The fixingmechanism of claim 2, wherein the fastening member comprises a flange,and the flange defines a chamfering.
 5. The fixing mechanism of claim 1,wherein the fixing mechanism further comprises a plurality of fastenersfor fixing the hard disks, and the first frame defines a plurality ofconnecting holes for the fasteners passing through.
 6. The fixingmechanism of claim 1, wherein a gap is defined between the first frameand the hard disk.
 7. The fixing mechanism of claim 6, wherein adistance between the first frame and the second frame is greater than alength of the hard disk.
 8. The fixing mechanism of the claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of dividers for dividing the adjacent hard disks.9. The fixing mechanism of the claim 8, wherein each divider comprisesan inserting portion, and the second frame defines an inserting hole forreceiving the inserting portion.
 10. The fixing mechanism of claim 9,wherein each divider further comprises a clamping portion for clampingthe hard disks.
 11. A hard disk assembly comprising: a plurality of harddisks; a first frame; a second frame facing to the first frame; a fixingstructure for fixing the hard disks, wherein one side of each hard diskis fixed on the first frame, and the fixing structure is fixed on thesecond frame and fixed on the other side of the hard disk.
 12. The harddisk assembly of claim 11, wherein the fixing structure comprises aconnecting arm fixed on the second frame and a fastening member latchedon the connecting arm, and the fastening member is fixed on the harddisk.
 13. The hard disk assembly of claim 12, wherein the connecting armdefines a slot, and the connecting arm latches in a latching slot of thefastening member.
 14. The hard disk assembly of claim 12, wherein thefastening member comprises a flange, and the flange defines achamfering.
 15. The hard disk assembly of claim 11, wherein the fixingmechanism further comprises a plurality of fasteners for fixing the harddisk, and the first frame defines a plurality of connecting holes forthe fasteners passing through, respectively.
 16. The hard disk assemblyof claim 11, wherein a gap is defined by the first frame and the harddisk.
 17. The hard disk assembly of claim 16, wherein a distance betweenthe first frame and the second frame is greater than a length of thehard disk.
 18. The hard disk assembly of the claim 11, wherein thefixing mechanism further comprises a plurality of dividers for dividingthe adjacent hard disks.
 19. The hard disk assembly of the claim 18,wherein each divider comprises an inserting portion, and the secondframe defines an inserting hole for receiving the inserting portion. 20.The hard disk assembly of claim 19, wherein each divider furthercomprises a clamping portion for clamping the hard disks.